Improvement in envelopes



J. COLLINS.

ENVELOPE.

N.185,7Z7. Patented Dec. 26. 1876.

TH E GRAPHIC CD-N-Y UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES COLLINS, OF CENTRAL CITY, COLO., ASSIGNOR OF TWO-THIRDS HIS RIGHTTO NATHAN A. SEARS AND WM. C. HENDRICKS, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN ENVELOPES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185,727, dated December26, 1876; application filed October 20, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, JAMES COLLINS, of CentralCity, Gilpin county, State of Colorado, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Combined Envelope Opener and Protector; and I do declarethat the following is a clear and exact description, which will enableothers to make and use my improved combined envelope opener andprotector.

My invention consists in bending a narrow strip of parchment, placedunder the flap of the envelope, down over said flap to near the middleof the envelope, where they are crossed and secured together or sealed.

I prefer to make two incisions, one in each side of the lap, near to thecorners; but these incisions are not absolutely required. If desired,they can be dispensed with.

After the envelope has been scaled, and the ends of the strip areprojecting from each corner of the envelope under the closed lap, l bendthese ends over the lap edge of the envelope, the strips at the bendsbeing inserted in the aforementioned incisions in the flap, and let themcross each other over the central point. On this point the ends arefastened by aid of mucilage or any other convenient adhesive material,which may be applied to the ends of the strip before it is used. Afterthe ends are fastened down, a seal made of sealing'wax or stamped wafer,or made in any other suitable manner, is placed over the ends, whichprevents the letter being opened without injuring the seal. The stripcovering the edge of the flap or lap, where it is fastened down to theback of the envelope, prevents the edge of the lap from being moistened,and

access gained into the interior of the envelope. On the outside of thatpart of the strip covering the edge of the lap is printed CombinedEnvelope Opener and Protector, indicating its purpose to the public.

The envelope is opened by destroying the seal and loosening one .of theends of the strip, or one end of the strip may be cut by a pair ofscissors. By taking hold of the loosened end of the strip and ripping upthe top edge of the envelope, access is gained to the interior of thesame.

In order to more fully describe my invention, I refer to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

Figure I is a back view of an envelope with the lap opened, showing theposition of my improved combined envelope opener and protector beforethe letter is placed into the envelope. Fig. II is a back view of anenvelope with the lap fastened down, showing the position of my combinedenvelope opener and protector.

A is the envelope; B, the lap, with the incisions b b; C, the envelopeopener and protector; D, the seal.

Having thus described my invention, I desire to claim:-

The combined envelope opener and protector, consisting of the strip Cand seal D, in combination with the envelope A B, substantially asdescribed.

JAMES COLLINS. Witnesses:

ROBERT CAMERON, JAMES NIcHoLsoN.

